THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE): Mr. Speaker Sir, I thank you for the opportunity to give a Ministerial Statement on the Government Food Deficit Mitigation Programme. My statement is largely in response to requests by some Hon. Members that we shed light on the structure and implementation framework of the programme.

You are all aware ladies and gentlemen that government rolled out a plausible ongoing food aid programme to alleviate poverty and hunger on the part of the communities affected by the current drought. The implementation of this programme has however, caused some displeasure within certain communities resulting in a flood of complaints to the Commission which has the Constitutional mandate to protect, promote and enforce human rights.

This report is prepared in terms of section 8(1) of the Bank Use Promotion Act [Chapter 24:24], which requires the Director of the Bank Use Promotion & Suppression of Money Laundering Unit to submit bi-annual reports on the Unit's activities to the Minister.

In 1999, Parliament adopted the final report of the Parliamentary Reform Committee. One of the recommendations contained in the report was that of establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethics for Members of Parliament.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the following policies, which have been applied consistently in all material aspects, unless otherwise indicated. However where appropriate and meaningful, additional information has been disclosed to enhance the usefulness of the financial statements and to comply with the statutory requirements of the Public Finance Management Act (Chapter 22:19).

1. Government needs to immediately align all electoral laws with the Constitution of Zimbabwe. THE IMMEDIATE ALIGNMENT OF ELECTORAL LAW WILL ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR IMPLEMENTATION BEFORE ELECTION.2. Enhance the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission independence and capacity. THE EXECUTIVE SHOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH ZEC OPERATIONS. REVIEW CLAUSES IN THE ELECTORAL ACT AND STOP ACTIONS THAT COMPROMISE THE INDEPENDENCE OF ZEC.

The Consolidated Statement of Financial Performance (CSFP) is prepared on the going concern basis. The Consolidated Statement has been based upon accounting policies, which have been consistently applied. The Consolidated Statement of Financial Performance on pages 6 to 15 has been approved by the Secretary and Paymaster General, and the Accountant Genenal.

INVITATION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CONSTITUTION OF ZIMBABWE AMENDMENTBILL HB1, 2017

Section 328(4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that;“(4) Immediately after the Speaker has given notice of a Constitutional Bill in terms of subsection (3), Parliamentmust invite members of the public to express their views on the proposed Bill in public meetings and through written submissions, and must convene meetings and provide facilities to enable the public to do so.”